A Worcester tea canister, circa 1762-65A Worcester tea canister, circa 1762-65Of ovoid shape, decorated in the workshop of James Giles with a colourful bird strutting on rockwork, flanked by two more perched on fine branches, the reverse with another group of birds in flight, a gilt line around the neck, 10.5cm highProvenanceBonhams, 7 June 1989, lot 426 (part)Zorensky Collection, Bonhams, 23 February 2005, lot 232Sylvia and Alan Low CollectionIllustrated as part of a full tea service by John Sandon, Dictionary of Worcester Porcelain (1993), p.176, col. pl.47. This canister demonstrates an earlier style of 'fancy bird' painting at the Giles workshop, reminiscent of that found on London-decorated Chinese porcelain. The birds would soon develop to become more stylised. The shape and the softer, simpler style of gilding are also pointers to an early date.